For some time now, seeing Los Fulanos play live has been one of the best things to do in Barcelona, or anywhere else, for that matter. The band brought back that riffraff (dissolute) vibe of pre-Olympics Barcelona, when the great city on the Spanish East Coast wasn't the safe haven of style, fashion and fine foods it is now, and things were a lot more gritty, sleazy and, to be honest, a whole lot funkier. Their concerts are wild parties, where Afro-Latin rhythms come together with a thousand other things, most of all, Soul, gaining Los Fulanos quite a reputation, whether they play on their own, or backing legends like Spanish rumba king Peret or Latin soul hero Joe Bataan (like they did on his Afro-Filipino tour).
It's no wonder, either. Los Fulanos cut their teeth on the small but very lively Spanish Latin funk and soul scene, where a surprising amount of bands, most of them veteran stage warriors, battle for the attention of a crowd spoilt with weekly gigs by internationally successful local groups like the classic soul-funkers Sweet Vandals, Speak Low or Pepper Pots, or new school mestizo bands like Fundación Tony Manero and Muchachito Bombo Infierno.
The band's previous phonographic endeavors have been quite fantastic, releasing several cover versions on 7” vinyl on labels like Vampisoul and Lovemonk (whatta label!!!), acclaimed by every self-respecting soul dude and dudettes, and backing aforementioned Joe Bataan on his latest album. But now it's time to move forward, recording their own songs and punching the explosive energy of their live shows into the grooves of some thick black vinyl. Enter “Si Esto Se Acaba Que Siga El Boogaloo” (If All This Ends, Let The Boogaloo Go On).
Miguelito Superstar (from Barcelona band Fundación Tony Manero) took the helm and led the way for Los Fulanos to spread their wings and broaden their musical horizon. Yes, the Boogaloo is still there, but it's developed a taste for the sweet honey Funk, Disco, Cuban rhythms and Bolero have to offer. Heck, there's even a muy groovy rendition of New Order's “Blue Monday”. While the Spirits of the Fania Ancestors look on in approval, the nine-piece band have taken just about everything they could distil from the musical melting pot that is their home town and cooked it up with a couple of spoons of humor. So pump up the volume and try not to break any tables... que se formó la rumba con Los Fulanos.